Michael Owen's chances of playing in the World Cup finals suffered another blow on Sunday when coach Fabio Capello snubbed the striker for next month's qualifier with Croatia.

The 29-year-old Manchester United player, who scored his first competitive goal for the English champions in last week's Premier League defeat of Wigan, is his country's fourth-highest goalscorer. But Capello was not convinced enough by the striker's form to include him in the squad which face Slovenia in a friendly at Wembley on Saturday or the Group Six qualifier with Croatia on Sept 9 where victory would guarantee England's place in the finals in South Africa.

Capello has instead decided to keep faith with Tottenham star Jermain Defoe, who has been in fine form this season.

Goalkeeper David James misses out for the third squad running after being forced to sit out Portsmouth's home defeat to Manchester City on Sunday, leaving West Ham's Robert Green likely to continue as the first-choice stopper.

Manchester United keeper Ben Foster has been earmarked by Capello has the main understudy to James, but some nervous displays for the Premier League champions, including failing to keep out Arsenal midfielder Andrey Arshavin's goal at Old Trafford on Saturday, may have damaged his chances.

In defense, the absence of Rio Ferdinand with a thigh strain has provided Manchester United teammate Wes Brown with a surprise return. Brown was sidelined for much of last term with an ankle injury and then suffered a thigh problem during United's recent preseason campaign.

However, Brown produced a dominant display in central defence as United overcame Arsenal at Old Trafford and Capello can also use him as cover for Glen Johnson at right-back.

The selection of Aaron Lennon was widely expected after Capello spoke glowingly about the Tottenham winger this week.

Lennon replaces injured Arsenal winger Theo Walcott, who has not played this season due to a back injury Gunners boss Arsene Wenger believes is a direct result of his young star playing for both England's senior side and the under-21s during the close-season.

"Lennon can play one-on-one and is very dangerous because he's quick. Potentially he is really good," Capello said.

"He's young. He needs to understand his potential and have confidence in this potential. It's really important because some players are really good but don't understand their own potential."

The prospect of beating Croatia to secure England's place at the World Cup is especially appealing for Capello and his team since it was Slaven Bilic's men who stopped England - then coached by Steve McClaren - from qualifying for Euro 2008.

Capello believes England have improved significantly since he replaced McClaren in the aftermath of that defeat.

"We improved a lot in the confidence because now we play like a team and we can play against every country and we can beat them. Every team. I'm sure of this," Capello said.

"First you have to win to get to South Africa, then you have to play. Getting to South Africa is the first step, then it is step by step. For me success will be qualification."

(AFP via China Daily September 1, 2009)